K6QS - January 11, 2013

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Ralph W. Held Coronado, CA QCWA # 11823 Chapter 14

Ralph W. Held: February 9, 1917 - January 11, 2013
Ralph Held was born in Bridgeport, CT. He was the youngest of five children. Ralph attended the Church Farm School in Exton, PA in 1927 as a member of the class of 1934. He has to leave CFS in 1930 when the Depression was well underway. In 2010 Ralph was awarded an honorary degree, bible and maroon blazer as an alumnus of CFS. He worked hard while at CFS and has many fond memories. Ralph stated, 'CFS is where the first seed was planted and God watched over me through thick and thin.'

In 1937 Ralph obtained his shortwave radio license from the FCC. He call letters were K6QS. Ralph connected with many radio operators all over the world and they became friends. He traveled to some of the countries where his radio friends lived and they in turn visited him in Coronado. On September 19, 1985 Mexico had a severe earthquake. Ralph and his fellow radio operators provided the emergency communications work during and after the earthquake.

In January 1986 the board of directors of the LMRE, A.C., presented Ralph with the 'METRO AMATEUR ISTICO' award in recognition of a job well done. Abut the same time the City of Coronado Police Department Emergency Preparation Unit recognized Ralph for his expertise and devotion in handling a high volume of two-way radio traffic the earthquake. In January 2012, the Quarter Century Wireless Association presented Ralph his 75th anniversary certificate as a licensed radio amateur.

Prior to WWII Ralph worked for GE in Schenectady, NY. He spent four years in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Chief Radioman during WWII. The Navy took him from the Naval Radio Lab in Washington D.C. to Ontario. Canada, Pearl Harbor and remote Johnston Atoll. His principle work included repairing and testing highly classified radars that were shore-based or in the air aboard various naval aircraft. When Ralph returned to civilian life, he worked for Philco as a field engineer and was assigned to a contract with the U.S. Naval Aviation Engineering Service Unit.

He worked for NASEU from May 1947 through June 1976. Ralph worked as an Avionics Logistic Manager from February 1951 to December 1980 for COMNAVAIRPAC (Pacific Fleet Naval Air Force). Ralph was promoted to GSE Division Director for the Naval Aviation Logistics Centers in December 1980 and he retired in January 1985. On November 29, 1953 Ralph married Hester Snee and moved from the East Coast to Coronado on a temporary assignment that became permanent. They enjoyed their many years in Coronado and traveled to numerous countries.

Ralph loved to golf and was a founding member of the Coronado Municipal Golf Course that opened in 1957. He was an active member of Christ Episcopal Church and enjoyed the many friends he made and their fellowship. Ralph lived life to the fullest. One of his favorite sayings was, 'The heart makes a record of every shining thing and plays it back like music through the years.'

Ralph often fondly reflected on his life experiences that gave him much pleasure. He is survived by his wife, Hester; sons John and Mark; daughter Sandra and her husband Mike Duncan. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m., on Saturday, January 26 at Christ Episcopal Church, 1114 Ninth Street in Coronado.

Ralph & Hester


Chapter 14 Preident, Harry Hodge, W6YOO, presents QCWA 75 year Certificates to
to Ralph Held, K6QS, now 95 years old and George Mitchell, K6ZE, born in 1920.
February, 2012